The Hornets missed chances in draw to Fulham

Watford travelled away to Fulham seeking to get back to winning ways. Despite the loss to Manchester United, the Hornets had started the season strongly having won 4 of their opening four games. Fulham was not going to be an easy game but the strong start we had suggested we could win this game if we played to our potential.

The line up was pretty much unchanged from our opening fixtures lineups with Gracia opting for a 4-4-2 formation with Deeney and Gray leading the line.
We needed a strong start and the team delivered. In the opening 90 seconds, Andre Gray scored courtesy of lovely ball from Will Hughes. Andre Gray saw his impressive form from against Manchester United continue as he scored for the second game in a row. He continued to dazzle with his impressive performance throughout the match.

The first half was pretty much ours as we dominated it right from the opening minutes when we opened the scoring. However, we were not as clinical as we hoped as we got ourselves into excellent situations but we could not convert our chances. Marcus Bettinelli also deserves credit as he pulled some good saves against us in the Fulham goal.

The teams went into the break with us leading thanks to the early goal. However, if we were to get a win we had to come back for the next half a bit more clinical. A solitary goal lead was not enough given the competitive nature of the premier league.
The second half started but the team that came back much improved was our opponents. Despite being ahead and the half being fairly even, we allowed them to get into dangerous positions and their striker Aleksander Mitrovic had room to pull level or even snatch a victory for the home team. His physicality and work rate proved difficult for us to handle.

We were punished in the 78th minute as Mitrovic pulled level for Fulham. We chased a winner but it was not meant to be for us as we dropped points only for the second time this season as the match ended level with a one all score.

As the gaffer stated in his post-match press conference, the early goal must have gotten into our heads as we got a bit complacent and comfortable with the lead. However, in all fairness to our good players, we tried getting a second but we were a bit unlucky. Our good first half and an unlucky second half allowed Fulham to get back into the game. We can take consolation in that we showed the desire to play a good game as the players had the intensity and ambition to win.

Next up for us is a trip to Tottenham in the Carabao Cup before playing Arsenal in the league this weekend. The result sees us sit 4th in the table which is good and if we can replicate our incredible start to the season with our remaining games, certainly European football will be played at Vicarage Road next season.